Pitless well unit



March 19, 1968 J. G. BAKER 3,373,819

PITLESS WELL UNIT Ja/M Gan/0n' afer INVENTOR.

.- WM5 M J. G. BAKER PITLESS WELL UNIT IMarch 19, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 18, 1965 q wf-don Q/(er INVENTOR BY W 5 M March 19, 1968 I J. G. BAKER PITLESS WELL UNIT 4 sheets-sheet s Filed May 18, 1965 March 19, 1968 Filed May 18, 1965 J. G. BAKER PITLESS WELL UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jahn wdm akcwINvENTOR.

United States Patent O 3,373,819 PITLESS WELL UNIT .lohn Gordon Baker, Evansville, Wis., assignor to Baker Manufacturing Company, Evansville, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed May 18, 1965, Ser. No. 456,668 5 Claims. (Cl. 166-88) ABSTRACT OF `THE DISCLOSURE A Self-contained unit with valved discharge spool` The spool and drop assembly are positioned and held down independently of the cap by means of hook studs and a strap welded to the hold-down pipe which extends from the spool to the top of the case. The case is provided with slots for the stud hooks and a pocket for the orientation strap. A holddown for a meter shaft is provided at the top of the holddown pipe. The spool is designed to provide passage for motor cables, pressure lines, or other auxiliaries into the well outside the valve and discharge chamber of the spool.

My invention relates to a pitless well unit, such as used with well structures to facilitate installation and servicing of ow line components beneath the frost-line, without necessity for a pit or chamber at the well head. Such units are usually employed in connection with domestic and industrial water wells, although not restricted thereto.

More particularly, my invention is concerned with a unit of the type having a lateral discharge outlet for connection to an underground delivery pipe, the unit having internally thereof a valve spool or the like adapted to provide a passage connecting a vertical drop or pump discharge pipe to a side opening, which spool or similar tting may be lowered into the well with other appurtenances, to be positioned and sealed inside a case by manipulation from the top of the well, a substantial distance above the side opening. Such units are often used in association with small well casings, and in any event reasons of economy require the assemblage to be as small and compact as possible. Provision usually must be made for such appurtenances as electric cables, pressure and depth gauge lines, iiow meters and the like. Consequently, free space is insufficient to permit use of fittings or seals for manipulation or actuation by wrenches or tools conventionally used for comparable assemblies in relatively open spaces.

In units heretofore known, various complex and expensive expedients have been employed to effect assembly. In addition to their cost, complexity and difliculty of operation, the prior art units are generally objectionable for their incapability of effecting a dependably tight assembly and providing substantially full ow, low loss discharge. In many instances various appurtenances obstruct or are exposed to the flowing fluid.

A further diculty with prior art units derives from the means for hold-down, that is, anchorage of the in ternal components to maintain position and seal against dislodging forces, such as the uid discharge pressure, vibration and the like. It has been the practice to utilize the cap, itself aixed to the case, for hold-down anchorage. In such an arrangement, retaining and sealing forces transmitted through the cap are necessarily affected or relieved when the cap is disturbed or removed, as may be necessary for inspection or servicing of the well. Thus, the interior components cannot be inspected 0r serviced while the well is pumping, and even a minor adjustment in an auxiliary may involve disturbing the main assembly. With prior units it is necessary to reset the assembly ice whenever the cap is removed, with consequent hazards of dislocation and reseal diiculties, often involving major removal, renewal, retting and resetting operations.

It is a principal object of my invention to provide a pitless well unit which is simple and economical to manufacture and convenient to install.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a unit incorporating a spool or discharge fitting which provides substantially full ilow discharge with minimal obstruction, leakage and recirculation losses, yet is compact, and provides for convenient accommodation or passage of accessory cables or lines, without the latters exposure to, or restricting, the ow.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide means for orienting a discharge spool or fitting in desired optimum flow position, etfectuation and retention of predetermined orientation `being accomplished fby means at the top of the well, but independent of the cap.

It is another object of my invention to provide assembly hold-down and seal actuation means which are independent of the cap, whereby access for inspection or adjustments may be gained without necessarily releasing or disturbing the main assembly.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a secondary hold-down and seal actuator for an auxiliary portion of the assembly which is actuable at the top of the well independently of of the primary hold-down device, but retained thereby.

Still other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the ensuing description, in connection With the accompanying drawings, in which:

'FIGURE 1 is a vertical section through the upper portion of a well structure, some portions being in elevation, showing my novel unit in place, the view being foreshortened by lbreaking away portions not necessary to the description of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of my novel unit, with the cap removed, taken on line 2 2, FIG. l;

FIGURE 3 is a partial vertical section on line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side elevation partially broken away, showing one of the grapple pockets in the side of the case, as viewed on line 4 4, FIG. 3;

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal section on line 5 5, FIG. 1;

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal section on line 6 6, FIG. l;

FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate details of the valve arrangement on the discharge spool, and

FIGURE 9 is a partial vertical section through the top of the case, showing a modified construction for a shaft tube hold-down.

Referring now to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indcates a well casing, terminating substantially below the normal ground surface G. At its lower end, unit case 11 is fitted to casing 10, as by a Welding end 12, or by any other suitable connection, such as a flanged or screwed joint. I prefer the welded joint, because such joint is least likely to develop a leak, the joint buried and inaccessible after the install-ation is completed.

At its upper end, case 11 is provided with a removable cap 13, held by bolts 14, compressing a gasket 15, to preclude entrance of foreign material into the case 11. The unit shown is designed for use with a submersible pump installation, therefore is provided with a cable entrance chamber 16, communicating with a mating passage 17 in the cap 13, whereby a cable C -may be run into the well from below chamber 16 and thus conveniently accommodate surface or underground cable conduit (not shown) from a remote power source. Other service lines or conduits connecting well apparatus with external sources or terminals may also -be brought through chamber 16, if required.

A hold-down pipe 18 lies within case 11, extending down from a plane near the top of case 11 to a discharge valve spool 19, which straddles the horizontal center plane of outlet spud 20, FIG. 2. The hold-down pipe 18 is connected to spool 19 in any suitable manner, as by weld 21. A drop pipe 22, suspending the pump (not shown), is hung from spool 19 by means of coupling 23. Fluid from the well is pumped through drop 22, spool inlet 24, ports 25, 26, and thence into the outlet spud 20, which is atxed to the case 11, as seen in FIG. 2. Ports 25, 26 are provided with swing check valves 27, 28, which serve to prevent backl'low from delivery pipe 20a when the pump is not operating, or is not delivering at the required discharge pressure. Above and below valves 27, 28, spool 19 is provided with flanges 29, 30, carrying seals 31, 32 respectively, whereby the tiuid discharged through the ports 25, 26 is confined to the spool discharge passage 33 in course to the outlet 20. The construction, installation and function of the spool assembly is subsequently described in greater detail.

An orientation strap 34 is attached to hold-down pipe 18, near the top of the latter. Strap 34 has a hook portion 35 arching over the top edge 36 of case 11, and down into chamber 16. As best seen in FIG. 2, strap 34 is just slightly narrower than cham-ber 16, as dened by walls 16a, 16h, so that when hook 35 is engaged as shown, hold-down pipe 18 and spool 19, attached thereto, are oriented in a predetermined angular position relative to outlet spud 20, which is attached to case 1-1 in predetermined angular position relative to chamber 16. In this instance, spud is shown at 90 from chamber 16, but obviously any structurally convenient positions may tbe used, provided only that strap 34 and spool 19 are lixed in corresponding relative positions. By virtue of the arrangement described, ports 26, 27 are readily set and held in the position shown in FIG. 6, for a purpose subsequently described, without internal guides, and without relying on the installer to nd and observe remote location means or marks inside the case. No fussy manipulation is required to position spool 19 correctly, and retention of the desired position is not dependent on a fitting arrangement which imposes warping stress on the Valve ports 25, 26, either during installation or operation. Therefore, should it lbecome necessary to service the spool or pump, the entire drop assembly is readily removed and reset, without risk of major overhaul or replacement resulting from damage by faulty installation or removal.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that four lugs 37 are provided at the upper end of hold-down pipe 18. Lugs 37 may be U-formed and welded to pipe 18, as shown, or of any other conformation suitable for the reception of studs 38. While I prefer to use four such studs 38 in the embodiment shown, it will be apparent that any plural number may be used, as is most suitable and convenient, with consideration to the adapter size and specific arrangement of other parts or accessories. The upper stud end 39 is sized to pass through lug 37 and carries nut 40 in position to bear on lug 37. The lower stud end 41 is welded, or otherwise secured, to a heavy claw 42.

Case 11 is provided with protruding cups 43, in number and angular spacing corresponding to studs 38. Pipe caps af appropriate size, welded to the outside of case 11, may be used for cups 43, or discs may be cupped Iby drawing or forging to required diameter and depth. Within the periphery of each cup 43, case 11 is apertured as indicated at 44, FIG. 4, the apertures 44 being rectangles whose vertical dimensions are somewhat less than the inside diameters of cups 43 and offset vertically. Thus, a lip 45 is formed, subtending pocket 46, as best seen in FIG. 3. Also, the height of each aperture 44 is somewhat greater than the depth of claw 42, measured from tip 47 to heel 48, so that tip 47 may be passed through aperture 44 into pocket 46 and hooked to lip 45, in the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The shank of stud 38 is scarfed as indicated at 49, at a distance from tip 47 slightly greater than the thickness of case 11.

For the purpose of installation, spool 19 and hold-down pipe 18, carrying strap 34 and lugs 37, are handled as a unit. Therefore, the spool and hold-down sub-assembly may be permanently factory assembled, to x strap 34 and lugs 37 in the predetermined correct angular relation to ports 25, 26. Case 11 being connected to the casing 10, FIG. 1, with spud 20 positioned for connection to delivery pipe 20a, FIG. 2, the well is ready for reception of the drop, spool and hold-down components. From FIG. 1, it will be seen that at its connection to casing 10, case 11 forms a continuation of the casing, above which the inside of case 11 is of somewhat larger diameter throughout, so that a pump or other appurtenance which must be lowered or raised through the casing will readily pass through case 11.

To install, spool 19 is suspended over the top of case 11, with drop pipe 22 connected and extending down through case 11 into casing 10. The usual well hoist rig may be used and need not be here described, as it forms no part of this invention. However, safe, balanced hanging can best lbe achieved by screwing a plug bail (not shown) into tap S0, which also serves another purpose, later described herein. Power and control cable, such as C, for

example, and other lines, small tubes, and the like, run

down into casing 10, may be fed through spool passages 51 and 52, FIG. 5, before lowering the spool. By this provision, service cable and lines are protected against fouling, twisting, or pinching between spool 19 and case 11 as the spool is lowered. Also, as best seen in FIG. 6, when spool 19 is at its nal installed position, FIG. 1, cable C and other service lines in passages 51 and 52 are separated from fluid passages 24 and 33 by the wall 53. Thus, lines in passages 51 and 52 are not exposed to abrasive high velocity uid action and likewise do not cause constriction or obstruction of the lluid passages.

Spool 19 is now lowered in case 11, during which process it is guided and centered by lingers 54, whose outside diameter is slightly less than the inside diameter of case 11, but greater than the largest diameter of the spool assembly, that of upper seal ring 31. Fingers 54, attached to upper flange 29, are suliiciently long as to prevent substantial swinging or cocking of spool 19, so that during lowering or lifting of the latter, the peripheral surfaces, particularly seal ring 31, will not be damaged by rubbing on the wall of case 11. For unit size here illustrated I find six fin-gers 54 desirable, but on a small size as few as three may be sufficient.

Lower seal ring 32, smaller in diameter than upper seal ring 31, `will pass conical face 55 and cylindrical seat 56 as spool 19 is lowered, until seals 31 and 32 rest on faces 55 and 57 respectively. At this stage a greater downward force than that exerted merely by the Weight of the assembly is required to drive seals 31 and 32 home in cylindrical seats 56 and 58 respectively. Studs 38 serve the purpose of iinal seating and now may -be installed, the lowering rig no longer being required.

As the spool 19 approaches its home position, strap 34 is guided into chamber 16, aligning lugs 37 with apertures 44, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. A stud 38 is now passed through the space between a pair of lugs 37, 4with `claw 42 down, until threaded end 39 is -fully below lug 38. The stud 38 is now shifted bodily to a vertical plane centering with an aperture 44 and corresponding lug 37, then the stud is cocked to pass tip 47 outward through aperture 44, While end 39 passes directly under lug 37. Now raisin-g stud 38 Ibrings claw 42 into engagement with lip 45, -while end 39 passes up through lug 37, whereupon nut 40 is run on to hold claw 42 in engaged position. The operation described is repeated with the other studs 38, `whereafter tightening nuts 40 drives holddown pipe 18 and attached spool 19 downward. Seals 31 and 32 are thus wedged by conical faces 55 and 57 respectively and finally tightly sealed on seats 56 land 58 respectively. Downward travel of the spool is stopped at the home position upon lower ange 30 striking stop shoulder 6G, as seen in FIG. l.

While I have shown the seals 31 and 32 as O-rings, because of their simplicity and effectiveness in an arrangement of the kind involved, it will be readily understood that other forms of seals can be adapted to the purpose, if desired. It will also be understood that if at any time it is desired to remove spool 19, the same may be accomplished lby reversal of the foregoing procedure, using hoist and bail to free the spool from home position and raise same to the surface.

If a ow meter M is desired, suitable straightening vanes (not shown) are installed in drop 22, prior to lowering, at the appropriate distance from the intended position of meter propeller P, FIG. 1. Meter shaft assembly S, carrying propeller P is lowered into a position in which its lower bushing 62, carrying seal 63 rests on conical face 67. Assembly S itself is not part of this invention, hence is shown in shadow outline. Nut 65, screwed into tap 50, with skirt 66 bearing on tiange 61, serves to drive home seal 63, which traverses conical face 67 into sealing position on cylindrical seat 68. Flange 61 also serves to hold assembly S concentric lwith hold-down pipe 18.

It will be noted that tap 50 being in hold-down pipe 18, force due to uid pressure tending to lift assembly S, is transmitted to case 11 through studs 38, as is such force on the spool assembly. Thus, all anchorage forces of the first or spool hold-down and the second orauxiliary hold-down are absorbed in the sa-me stress pattern, avoiding possible distorting couples due to displacement between principal stress lines, as well as insurin-g the most uniform and advantageous distribution of the holddown stresses. It will further be noted that assembly S can be installed and removed without disturbing the spool hold-down.

Should no owmeter be desired at the time of initial installation, if assembly S should require extensive repair, or a replacement is delayed, assembly S can be readily replaced by a plug or blind, so that the well can continue in service without the shaft assembly S.

The advantageous flow conditions achieved with my novel spool construction and positioning arrangement are Ibest seen from examination of FIG. 6. Because there are two ports, 25, 26, dividing the flow between them, there is ample passage for full flow at moderate velocity, minimizing loss in head due to the change in direction from inlet 24 to discharging chamber 33. Such full ow condition obtains with valves 27 and 28 limited to the short swing indicated by the broken lines. The short valve swing not only minimizes the dia-meters of case -11 and seal 31, as seen in FIG. 1, but also facilitates quick opening and closing without objectionable slam, hammer, hunting or pulsing ow. Further, in their open positions, valves 27 and 28 direct the ow from ports 25 and 26 in a gently curving path through chamber 33 toward discharge 20. Friction, constriction and turbulence are further minimized by the substantially fiat face presented to t-he stream, gasket 70 being flush with disc 71 and lip 72.

The construction and operation of valves 27 and 28 are best understood by referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 with FIG. 6. The description will proceed in reference to one of the valves, it being understood that the valves are identical except as to hand, valve 27 swinging clockwise, valve 28 counterclockwise to open, as viewed in FIG. 6. Body 70a carries gasket 70 and disc 71. Upper and lower rocker arms 73 and 74 are pinned to body 70a at peripheral bosses 75, 76 respectively. Pads 77, 78, opposing wings 79, 80 respectively, limit swiveling of body 70a about the pins at 75, 76 in either direction, allowing suflicient play to assure proper seating of the valve in closed position, but insuring that the valve body 70a cannot rock into a position which would interfere with proper closing of the valve, or partially obstruct the port when in open position. Arms 73 and 74 swivel on shaft 81, -which is journalled in fianges 29 and 30. Right and left hand torsion springs 83, 84 serve to hold gasket 70 tightly on its seat 85, being calibrated to oppose opening of the valve ywith a force equivalent to the yforce exerted by minimum fluid discharge pressure against disc 71. The springs are anchored by inner extensions 86, 87 bearing on spool passage wall 88 and outer extensions 89, 90 bearing on lugs 91, 92 of arms 73, 74 respectively. Each arm carries a tapered spring journal, as shown at 82. Bushing 82a spansthe inner, opposed journal ends. The coils of springs 83, 84 fit closely on the journals and the bushing, at the ends of the springs, leaving intermediate coils free to contract on the application of winding torque.

As seen in FIG. 6, seat 85 is crowned, or convex in cross-section, to insure high unit pressure on gasket 70 and uniform seating around the circumference. This arrangement also facilitates minimum clearance for gasket ow, while obviating interference between seat 8S, disc 71 and lip 72.

Referring particularly to FIG. 8, the inner surface of lip 72 is a re-entrant cone 93. The outer edge of gasket 70 is a mating cone 94, so that gasket 70 must be forced into position inside lip 72. The inner edge of gasket 70 is oppositely coned at 95, while disc 71 has an outer mating coned edge 96, Thus, when the gasket is forced into the lip and the disc is fastened to body 70a by cap screw 97, the gasket is so secured that it can be dislodged by the force of the fluid stream passing across the face of the valve. Also, it will be seen that the gasket 70 may be ma-de equal to or slightly less than the depth of lip 72 and thicknesses of dis-c 71, so the gasket does not project into the fluid stream.

FIG. 9 illustrates a modified form of shaft assembly hold-down, the parts corresponding to those previously described being correspondingly numbered, with the addition of 100. Hold-down pipe 118 is anchored as previously described in connection with FIGS. l-3. However, in lieu of a tap, pipe 118 is grooved internally near its upper end, as indicated at 150. After assembly S1 has been lowered into pipe 118, bayonet ring 165, carrying screws 198, is inserted into groove 150, whereafter screws 198, bearing on flange 161, serve to drive assembly S1 down and hold it in home position. Meter M is then mounted and coupled to shaft S1. Obviously other assemblies comparable to S or S1 can be instal-led in lieu thereof, those assemblies being illustrative only. It is merely necessary that such assembly as may be desired be provided with a hold-down portion equivalent to ange 61 or 161.

While I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention as particularly adapted to use with a submersible pump installation, the invention is not restricted thereto. My novel unit may be adapted to accommodation of a vertical shaft motor-over-well rotary or centrifugal pump arrangement, such as that illustrated and described in my Patent No. 2,657,637, issued Nov. 3, 1953, shallow or deep well reciprocating pumps, as shown in my Patent No. 2,657,633, issued Nov. 3, 1953, jet or other pump arrangements. In arrangements involving a vertical through shaft, the same can be accommodated in a manner similar to that herein described in association with a flowmeter shaft.

Other variations or modifications within the spirit and scope of my invenion will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It will be understood that the drawings and description of my invention herein set forth are given by way of explanation and example only, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims.

I claim: Y

1. A pitless well unit comprising a generally cylindrical, elongated case, spaced annular faces internally of said case near one end thereof, a generally cylindrical spool in said case, said spool having axially spaced anges defining with said faces a chamber in said case, a well extending between said anges defining an inlet to said spool and a passage in said chamber, means carried by said anges for sealing said passage, a discharge opening in the wall of said case, ports communicating between said inlet and, said passage, swing valve members arranged for limited swing opening relative to said ports, said members in open position defining dual stream paths through said passage generally tangential to said inlet, both streams toward the same side thereof, and means fixed relative to said spool, said means engaging a portion f said case at its end remote from said spool, orienting said spool with said ports equidistant from said opening and said stream paths directed toward said opening.

2. A pitless well unit according to claim 1, wherein each said port is encircled by a raised seat, and each said valve member comprises a body having a lip, a gasket confined by said lip, said gasket having a flat face opposing said seat, and a disc opposed to said port, said disc retaining said gasket on said body, said face being subtantially flush with said lip and said disc.

3. A pitless well unit according to claim 1, wherein each said port is encircled by a raised, convex seat, and each valve member comprises a body having a lip, a gasket confined by said lip, said gasket having a at face opposing said seat, and a disc opposing said port, said disc retaining said gasket on said body, said face being substantially flush with said lip and said disc.

4. A pitless well unit, 0r the like, comprising: an elongated, generally cylindrical case having a discharge opening, a cap for said case, a generally cylindrical discharge spool slidable within said case to a predetermined position axially thereof, said spool having a discharge port, a hold-down pipe aixed to said spool, stud receptor means afxed to said hold-down pipe near its end remote from said spool, and a plurality of studs engaging said receptor means, portions of said studs engaging portions of said case independently of said cap, whereby to draw said spool to said predetermined position, with said port opposite said opening, said stud portions comprising claws, and said case portions comprising lips defined by apertures in said case.

5. In a pitless well unit, or the like, the combination of a generally cylindrical case having a cap and a lateral discharge opening through the wall of said case, upper and lower circumferential seats in said case dening a chamber bridging said opening, a generally cylindrical discharge spool in said chamber having upper and lower anges mating with said seats, upper and lower seals held by said anges in sealing engagement with said seats, means associated with said case and said spool, independent of said cap, holding said spool in said chamber, a wall extending between said flanges, said wall dening an inlet to said spool and a discharge passage in said chamber, ports in said wall communicating with said inlet and said passage, swing valve members hinged to said spool in position for closing and opening said ports, and means associated with said case and said spool for locating said spool in predetermined angular position relative to said opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,859,823 11/1958 Bauer 166-88 2,917,113 12/1959 Ortman 166-88 3,014,532 12/1961 Eging 166-75 3,154,148 11/1964 Peterson 166--88 3,255,823 6/1966 Barton 166-88 2,841,223 7/1958 Maass et al 166-88 2,998,847 9/1961 Maass 166--88 3,161,424 12/1964 Maass 166-88 JAMES A. LEPPINK, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. 3,373,819 March 19, 1968 John Gordon Beker It is certified that error appears n the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 72, for "well" read wall n.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of July 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, IR. 

